Sir Arthur C. Clarke Passes On, But His Works And DNA Will Live On
By: John Vinson
There are some people who just live way ahead of the times. Arthur C. Clarke could quite possibly be the poster boy for that sentiment. Clarke was thinking about technological advances we now have when they were deemed impossible.
During World War II he had developed an idea for communication satellites. The idea of such satellites was deemed such an impossibility that Clarke didn’t bother applying for a patent on the satellites. Although he never received the patent, he would later be commended for the idea through many awards, most famously in 1994 for the Nobel Prize.
Easily, Clarke’s most influence was generated through his writing. Clarke published more than a hundred works of fiction and non-fiction. His most famous was The Sentinel, which would later be adapted into a screenplay called, 2001: A Space Odyssey. (anyone remember that one?) In his writings, he would convey ideas about technologies that at the time were very much science fiction, but today don’t seem so impossible. Ideas, such as space travel, the internet, and space elevators.
Sadly, Clarke passed away a couple of days ago and is no longer with us. To keep with his theme of expanding our horizons, he has left behind his DNA through locks of hair. The hair will be sent to the moon as part of a memorial capsule. Clarke was very adamant about his hair being preserved, as a means for a cloning. The reason being is so an advanced civilization would have the means of cloning him. Even in his later years, he never lost his wonder for the advancements of science and space. You will be sorely missed Sir Arthur C. Clarke.
R.I.P
December, 16 1917 - March, 19 2008